I continue with the NJ Forest Fire Service spring 2023 prescribed burning season by referencing this February 10th news release from the NJ Dept of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) discusses prescribed burns conducted by the NJFFS. The NJFFS conducts prescribed burns in the spring of each year, and sometimes in the fall, “to reduce wildfire risk and manage natural resources by burning the buildup of potential fuels such as undergrowth, leaves, branches and pine needles on forest floor.”
In conducting prescribed the NJFFS considers
Several climatological and environmental conditions, all of which influence a burn’s intensity and severity, are considered when conducting prescribed burns to accomplish various resource and ecological objectives, such as reducing hazard fuels and managing habitats. The Forest Fire Service and Division of Air Quality work together to assess wind speed, humidity and temperature and to determine the best days to conduct prescribed burning. Other factors considered include the density and arrangement of the vegetation being burned. ... In 2022, the Forest Fire Service completed prescribed burns on 11,925 acres of state-owned lands, 3,363 acres of other government-owned land and 1,694 acres of privately owned property, for a total of 16,982 acres. (NJDEP February 10, 2023 News release)
For additional information on the NJFFS prescribed burning program please refer to the news release from the NJDEP.
As I wrote on February 8th, the spring prescribed burning season began in early February. In order to keep informed I signed up for text and email alerts from the NJFSS . The NJFFS also has a facebook page where you may find information on current prescribed burns. In addition, the NJFFS implemented a prescribed fire dashboard in 2022 where you may find information on current active and scheduled prescribed burns.
In the last week, the NJFFS has conducted prescribed burns around the state in Burlington, Cumberland, Camden, Gloucester, Atlantic, Ocean, Morris, Somerset, Hunterdon, and Sussex Counties. Prescribed burns are conducted weather permitting and scheduled burns may be postponed if the weather conditions are not favorable. As I write this, there is light rain in my area and we had some light rain yesterday. I have not yet received any notifications about prescribed burns scheduled for today, February 17th.
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